By popular demand, a follow up album to the hugely popular "Keys of Canterbury" recorded in 1994, featuring many of the same artist on another (possibly even more interesting?) selection of songs from and about our County of Kent.

The album was launched at a crowded concert at Tenterden Folk Festival on Saturday 3rd October 1998 and is already selling well and receiving very favourable comments. It has already had air play on Radio Kent. And been reviewed in The Kent Express.

Pete Castle; Born in Ashford; nationally known professional folk singer, story teller, community arts project leader, etc. since 1978; also a member of internationally known group Popeluc.

Andy Turner; Also originally from Ashford where he started singing, playing and dancing; former Sidmouth singer of the year!; now plays with Geckoes and other nationally known groups.

Bob Kenward; One time resident of Faversham and now lives in Tunbridge Wells; best known for his prolific writing of songs and poems about Kent which have been taken up by many local singers.

Tan Tethera (Dave, Kath and Heather Grabham), Highly regarded family trio from Woodchuch, near Ashford; well known in the local folk clubs; Dave is also Squire of Woodchurch Morris and Dance Co-ordinator of Tenterden Folk Festival.

Maria Cunningham; Often thought of as a Sussex singer but actually from Kent, mainly performs un-accommpnied songs; also writes in the traditional style.

Ian Lawther; Born in Dover but now resident in Faversham, championship piper with 30 years experience.

The artists each chose their own material and perform it in their own styles. They also join together in various groupings which show the flexibility of the artists and the songs. The material includes some little known traditional songs performed by Pete and Andy, a couple of which came via the late Ron Spicer from his father George, a very important source singer. Ron who featured on "Keys of Canterbury" is the subject of one of the songs on the album written and performed by Maria. The album also includes three of Bob's songs about Kent, one of which was arranged and performed by Tan Tethera.

"Kent, sir - everybody knows Kent - apples, cherries, hops and women." wrote Charles Dickens in Pickwick Papers. Since the renovation of the Eight Bells in Tenterden, this quotation has also coincidentally appeared on a beam in the bar which is the home of Tenterden folk club.

A song book including the words, music and extensive notes on all the songs from both "Apples, cherries, hops and women" and "Keys of Canterbury"

"Apples, cherries, hops and women" (MATS019) was recorded in June 1998 at Courtfield Studios in Ashford, engineered by Gordon Thrussell and produced by Folk spots and Steel Carpet Music. The album is available on CD price £10.00 and on cassette price £7.00.

"The Kentish Songster" an A4 spiral bound book will be available at £5.00.

"Keys of Canterbury" (MATS10) is still available on cassette price £7.00.

If you would like more details about "Apples, cherries, hops and women" or other items in the Steels Carpet Music and Folk Spots catalogue contact Alan Castle at Folk Spots

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Last updated 9th January 1999